Other Pets
Media – Learning in the Bullied
Stress Matters Magawa isn’t just any rat; he is the very best at what he does. You may recall from “The Year of the Rat” in last week’s Fetch page that this African pouched rat won a gold medal for discovering more unexploded mines and ordnance in Cambodia than his competitors. Training made it possible…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Fireworks Fear & Sweaty Paws
Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. A freaked-out dog or cat needs serious relief from fear. I’ll make it easy for you to help.
Read MoreMedia – Fireworks Freak-Out
Comfort Scared Pets with Good Management Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. Scared dogs may hide, tremble, drool, cry or howl, and even urine soil, vomit or pass diarrhea. Many get clingy but some escape the home and risk getting hit on the road. A freaked-out…
Read MoreMedia – COVID-19 in Pets
Don’t Panic-Be Careful Staying home is a real drag but if you have pets you’ll never be alone. We don’t need social distancing from them, do we? Here’s the update which, of course, is subject to change. Idexx Laboratories tested thousands of canine and feline specimens and found no positives for the coronavirus strain that…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Listen to the Animals
Horses and dogs communicate with us – even if we don’t notice. They can love what we do and repay us with joy or they can react badly. Smart dogs and angry horses have lessons for us.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Pets at Work
Build morale! A shared passion! Bring your own? Barking, biting, messes, bathroom breaks? I love office pets. The shoulds of rules and accountability.
Read MoreMedia – Rabbit Ears
Not always Pretty Question: We have had a truly organic constantly changing “rabbit garden” within our backyard. Bunny Town USA has had many happy years and happy healthy rabbit broods. Three years ago we had wild mice and a feral cat. Sometime after, the rabbits began their battle with mites. Even in the cold the…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Gift Pets: Good Idea? Bad Idea?
You’ve found the perfect pet for someone really special. In your mind you can already see them together! Watching the wriggling box get unwrapped and that look of astonishment and glee – well, it doesn’t get much better than that. Pets can change lives – but not every surprise goes well. Everybody’s needs matter. Let’s…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Death by Summer Heat
Heat stroke can end a life quickly – And it’s about more than just hot cars
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Mama’s Empathic Example
Kindness can be found everywhere from chimpanzees to dog, cats, and people.
Read MoreAlbuquerque Journal Article – Animals Recognize and Recall Human Facial Expressions
Research shows that Horses are On to Us – Other members of the animal kingdom lack some of our complex reasoning abilities but they’re surprisingly skilled at identifying our feelings. A study of horses reading and recalling human emotions was published in the May, 2018 issue of Current Biology. There is a trove of research…
Read MoreAlbuquerque Journal Article – Punishment & A Foul Mouthed Parrot
Set Pets Up for Success; then Teach them What to Do Right John received a parrot as a gift, one with a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every utterance was rude, obnoxious, and laced with profanity. John did his best to improve the bird’s demeanor by saying only polite words, playing soft music,…
Read MoreAlbuquerque Journal Article – Rat Virus Infectious to Humans
Rarely Fatal, Pet Rats can be Tested There is a subset of animal lovers with pet rats. I like these gentle creatures. I’ve have had their genetic cousins, gerbils, myself. What’s new with rats is that the CDC has made us aware of Seoul virus. Originally discovered in South Korea, this infectious organism is found…
Read MoreSkunks have Needs Too
Scent Glands, Diet, and Environmental Enrichment Question: This x-ray is of my pet skunk. He is a neutered male, 10 months old. He has gone off his back legs. Dr. Nichol: Your skunk’s x-ray (posted on facebook.com/drjeffnichol) shows a couple of bright ovals near his rear end, suggestive of impacted anal (scent) glands. They are…
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